Meningitis UK boss honoured with MBE
31.12.10
A CHARITY boss who has led the fight against killer disease meningitis since the death of his son 28 years ago has been honoured with an MBE in the Queen's New Year's Honours List.
Steve Dayman, the Chief Executive of Meningitis UK, has been awarded the accolade for his services to healthcare.
The inspirational fundraiser has fought tirelessly for increased awareness and research into vaccine development.
His campaigning began after his son Spencer died from meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia in 1982, aged just 14 months.
Back then there was no information on the disease, no leaflets and no charities to offer support or fund research.
Despite being told he would never see a meningitis vaccine in his lifetime, three have been introduced to combat Hib, pneumococcal disease and Meningitis C.
Cases of the disease have dropped by around 50 per cent since the 1980s when Steve began his campaign.
A vaccine for Meningitis B, which has always been the most common form of the deadly brain bug, is now within reach.
Steve, from Alveston in South Gloucestershire, said: "It's a great honour to be recognised by your country.
"The progress that's been made in the fight against meningitis has saved many lives and this wouldn't have been achieved without the support of thousands of families across the country who have also been affected by this devastating disease.
"I just rally the troops and provide the battle cry.
"It's been a team effort and I would also like to thank my family and everyone associated with Meningitis UK, including the patrons, trustees, staff and all of our dedicated supporters."
Steve was recommended for the honour by the charity's supporters, leading professors in meningitis research and Meningitis UK patrons.
They all pay tribute to his "enthusiasm and endless persistence" which has inspired people across the country and made a "truly extraordinary contribution" to meningitis research in the UK and the wider world.
Steve regularly visits bereaved families to offer his support and has raised over £1.8million through marathon walks alone.
He's completed 30 of these mammoth challenges, including three walks from John O'Groats to Land's End, amassing over 12,000 miles in total – the equivalent of halfway round the world.
Bob Woodward, a patron of Meningitis UK and the founder of CLIC – the Cancer and Leukaemia in Childhood charity, said: "Steve truly is a remarkable man who has turned the tragedy of his family's loss into positive hope for countless families in the future.
"For more than a quarter of a century now Steve has been at 'the coalface' leading, inspiring, often comforting the grieving and, literally, raising tens of millions of pounds throughout the length and breath of the country to ensure that the vision that drives him becomes a reality."
Meningitis UK's Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign aims to raise £7million to fund vital research into finding a vaccine to eradicate all forms of the disease.
To support the Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign, or order your information pack, contact Meningitis UK on 0117 373 73 73 or visit www.meningitisuk.org
MeningitisUK · Registered Charity No.1076774
Comments
Posts: 15
Reply #15 on : Wed February 16, 2011, 19:23:33
Posts: 15
Reply #14 on : Fri January 28, 2011, 20:11:50
Posts: 15
Reply #13 on : Mon January 17, 2011, 18:18:56
Posts: 15
Reply #12 on : Sun January 16, 2011, 22:16:03
Posts: 15
Reply #11 on : Thu January 13, 2011, 12:09:15
Posts: 15
Reply #10 on : Tue January 11, 2011, 20:51:57
Posts: 15
Reply #9 on : Tue January 11, 2011, 20:50:58
Posts: 15
Reply #8 on : Mon January 10, 2011, 16:42:42
Posts: 15
Reply #7 on : Thu January 06, 2011, 20:17:45
Posts: 15
Reply #6 on : Wed January 05, 2011, 14:12:53
Posts: 15
Reply #5 on : Wed January 05, 2011, 13:46:48
Posts: 15
Reply #4 on : Tue January 04, 2011, 13:47:41
Posts: 15
Reply #3 on : Sun January 02, 2011, 14:20:18
Posts: 15
Reply #2 on : Fri December 31, 2010, 21:15:12
Posts: 15
Reply #1 on : Fri December 31, 2010, 14:57:16
Comments are temporarily closed for this article